Antalyaspor vs Gaziantep – News and Probable Lineups

Two teams looking for better form will kick off round 26 of the Turkish Super Lig this Friday evening, as Antalyaspor hosts Gaziantep at Corendon Airlines Park.

The Scorpions approach this match without a victory in their last four competitive fixtures (1D, 3L) — with three of those being in the league (1D, 2L) — while the Falcons are also facing challenges, having gone five games without a win (2D, 3L), including four in the Super Lig (2D, 2L).

Match overview

Antalyaspor is gradually getting drawn into the relegation fight, currently sitting just three points above the relegation zone as the final nine league matches of the season loom.

Sami Ugurlu’s squad has achieved only one win in their previous six Super Lig appearances (2D, 3L) and are currently on a three-match winless streak. However, their 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce — where they took a two-goal lead before being equalized — provided a hint of optimism.

Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on that positive note, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home against Samsunspor in the Turkish Cup, followed by a close 1-0 loss away to Caykur Rizespor last weekend.

Nevertheless, their home performance has offered some solace, as Antalyaspor has remained unbeaten in their last four league games at Corendon Airlines Park (2W, 2D), and they will be looking to build on that record to get back on track.

That being said, past encounters with Gaziantep have not favored the home side, as the Scorpions have managed just one draw and two losses in their last three matches against the Falcons, including a 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season, where a late resurgence ultimately fell short.

The visitors are aiming to secure their first-ever league double over Antalyaspor, although their own form provides little encouragement, despite being mid-table at a comfortable 10th position.

Burak Yilmaz’s team has secured only one victory in their last 12 league matches (5D, 6L) and arrives in Antalya without winning any of their last four Super Lig outings (1D, 3L), with their most recent match ending in a tedious 1-1 draw at home against bottom-placed Fatih Karagumruk.

Defensive weaknesses have plagued the Falcons throughout the season, with only the league’s bottom two sides, Kayserispor and Fatih Karagumruk (46), conceding more goals than Gaziantep’s 41.

Interestingly, the visitors have been somewhat tougher on their travels, with 19 of those goals coming away from home, and while they have only conceded four goals in six visits to Antalyaspor, they have yet to win at this venue, drawing four and losing two.

Team News

Antalyaspor has no confirmed absentees going into this fixture, although Lautaro Giannetti remains a doubt due to a muscle injury sustained earlier this month, while creative midfielder Ramzi Safuri’s availability is also uncertain and will be evaluated prior to kick-off.

Additionally, Erdogan Yesilyurt is inactive and unavailable for selection, limiting the options for the coaching staff.

The hosts have been defensively vulnerable lately, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last nine fixtures, which may influence Ugurlu’s lineup at the back – however, the center-back pairing of Huseyin Turkmen and Veysel Sari is expected to persist.

On the flip side, Gaziantep is grappling with several notable absences, as Ali Mevran Ablak and Salem M’Bakata are still out due to long-term cruciate ligament injuries.

Tayyip Talha Sanuc will also be missing this match due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.

Further injury concerns exist with Badou Ndiaye and Kevin Rodrigues, both of whom are unavailable, while forward Denis Dragus’s fitness remains dubious as he manages a muscle strain.

Antalyaspor probable starting XI:

Julian; Balci, Turkmen, Sari, Paal; Dikmen, Ceesay; Ballet, Storm, Sinik; From the Region

Gaziantep probable starting XI:

Gorgen; Perez, Abner, the musician, Sangar; Kozlowski, Maxim; Gassama, Camara, Lungoy; Bayo

Both teams enter this match in less-than-ideal form, which could lead to a tense and cautious encounter. Nonetheless, Antalyaspor’s recent home resilience might provide them with a slight advantage, but Gaziantep’s attacking prowess indicates they can still pose threats.

With both sides struggling defensively and eager to end their poor runs, opportunities may arise at both ends; however, neither team seems persuasive enough to secure all three points, leading to a closely contested draw appearing to be the most feasible outcome here.